The First Christians

Just internet browsing and came upon something I saw a year ago.

"They marry, as do all; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring. They have a common table, but not a common bed. They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men, and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and restored to life. They are poor, yet make many rich; they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all; they are dishonoured, and yet in their very dishonour are glorified. They are evil spoken of, and yet are justified; they are reviled, and bless; they are insulted, and repay the insult with honour; they do good, yet are punished as evil-doers. When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into life; they are assailed by the Jews as foreigners, and are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to assign any reason for their hatred."

"For they know and trust in God, the Creator of heaven and of earth, in whom and from whom are all things, to whom there is no other god as companion, from whom they received laws which they engraved upon their minds and hearts and observe in hope and expectation of the world to come. Wherefore they do not commit adultery nor fornication, nor bear false witness, nor embezzle what is held in pledge, nor covet what is not theirs. They honour father and mother, and show kindness to those near to them; and whenever they are judges, they judge uprightly. They do not worship idols (made) in the image of man; and whatsoever they would not that others should do unto them, they do not to others; and of the food which is consecrated to idols they do not eat, for they are pure. And their oppressors they appease (lit: comfort) and make them their friends; they do good to their enemies; and their women, O King, are pure as virgins, and their daughters are modest; and their men keep themselves from every unlawful union and from all uncleanness, in the hope of a recompense to come in the other world."

Both of these were written in the 2nd Century and are in many ways first hand accounts of the Early Church.  Crazy awesome.

I guess in terms of application, though, I can only ask (myself and any other christian) just how short do we seem to come in comparison to this way of life?

The Work will be Finished

Just a couple things from the last week:

First:
I've been reading through the Gospel of Luke and chapter 6 really seemed to hit me the other day. According to some this is the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 as well) but some think its the same teaching but a different incident, nevertheless its pretty cool stuff. As I read through it I couldn't help but think to myself how awful I am at times in trying to live this out. Jesus has some pretty blunt words in regard to forgiveness, sin, and judgement. How quickly we are to judge others, and how unprepared we are to forgive those do something against us. Upon reading this I've come to the conclusion it would be quite hard to call yourself a Christ follower and not practice what is taught here. How can we be so reluctant to administer Grace to others (including our enemies) when the God of the universe has distributed such an awesome Grace to us. Jesus even brings home this point at the end of Luke 7 - "...But whoever has been forgiven little loves little."

Second:
Listening to the radio there have been 2 songs which constantly seem to encourage me. The first is "The Redeemer" by Sanctus Real and the second "You Love Me Anyway" by the Sidewalk Prophets. If you haven't heard them, go check them out! Im only going to spend time on the second song here, however. Towards the end of the song the lyrics always seem to break me down. It constantly reminds me of how I felt before Jesus, and his awesome love for us.

Finally:
Kind of going off the last point I was listening to a Matt Chandler sermon and an exerpt from it really encouraged me. Its so encouraging to remember that in the midst of our struggles and weakness Jesus will finish the work. I cut the part out and put if below. 

Bittersweet Blog

As I sit here it saddens me to think that 3 of my now very close friends are on their way back home.  While im super excited for what they will do back in Norway for the Lord, its still just one of those feelings I dont like.  Im super glad to say Vegard, Peter, and Kristine you have been an amazing blessing to me this last year.  (I hope you guys read this when your home!)  Its crazy to think its really been 11 months since you got here.

On the bright side, though, im reminded of the awesome times we shared this last year, the times that WILL come in the future, and the fact that one day we will sit at the banquet table together with Jesus.  If there is one thing you guys have shown us all its that regardless of where you go, or what you do, if the common denominator is Jesus then things will work out (however hard or easy it may be!)

To Peter:

I didnt see you as much as your brother but the times we spent together were amazing.  I still remember the first time we rode together we convinced Ben to scare you from the back of my dads car!  You are such an awesome guy, and love Jesus so much! Keep Vegard on the straight line and do work in Norway!

Kristine:

Im so glad we got to lead together!!! You've been such a blessing in how you constantly send encouragement to the people around you!  Its been awesome to me how Jesus has used you in the lives of the Girls at Dixie, as well as to convict my own heart by your great attitude.  Finally i'll miss that you always seemed to bring questions to me about scripture which always seemed to push me to seek answers and sharpen my faith.

Vegard:

Gosh, I can honestly say I would consider you one of my best friends after this year.  Through many car rides, conversations about life, sarcastic arguments, and just living life together Im going to miss you bud.  Its crazy how God does things, like me you and peets meeting at Lake Champion so long ago, to now being so close.  Keep runnin for Jesus, and loving people like I know you do.

I think I can speak for all of the Students, Leaders, and anyone else you guys came into contact with this last year that you will be greatly missed.  You can always remember in any circumstance you have a huge family in the states if you need anything.

Cant wait for the adventures we will have in the future!!!

Post Camp Stuff

Getting back from camp Sunday I have tons of stuff floating around my head, so why not create a blog to clear some stuff out!

To start things off the picture above gets me super pumped about this upcoming year.  To be short and sweet God is going to do so much through this community (and the ones not in the picture!!) at Dixie!


Second I think ill keep the main focus of this blog on one thought I had after the Sin talk.  One thing I feel like I have been able to constantly remind myself within the last couple years is the idea of how Sinful I really am.  All to often my thoughts seem to echo Paul when he says he is "chief sinner".  While this in some ways has led me to look at Grace as something so much bigger than I could imagine, it has also let to me living in less of a saint attitude.  Its so much easier for me to see myself as dirty, and "chief of sinners" rather than a redeemed individual.  In a convo recently I was reminded of the fact that those who live knowing the grace they have received, live radically different.


Along the lines of this thought as well I began to think of my dependence on Jesus.  Just ponder on it for a minute:  One day we will stand before the God of the Universe, "His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God." (Rev. 19:12-13) While standing we will give an account for our lives, and in that moment see just how ridiculously small our "good deeds" compare to a Holy, Just God.  Its then we may be asked why we should be let into an eternity with him.  Its here that I cant seem to fathom what it really will be like.  When realizing just how helpless I am in his presence, Jesus steps forward and claims me as his own. Should he not come forward, what hope would I have? 


It is by Grace we have been saved, so lets live like it.

Blogging is hard.

As the title might entail, as well as my hiatus from this deal, blogging is pretty hard to stay on top of.  That being said I think I'm going to start updating more consistently.  Today, however, I dont have much to say...... but here is something cool.

I've decided with the couple weeks leading into camp I'm going to start diving into Mark's gospel.  With one chapter down I was already reminded of the awesome kind of God we have.  The story of the Leper (which I know I've mentioned on here before) just gets me every time.  He knew who Jesus was, which led him to break the "rules" of his day and approach him, something that could have resulted in his death.  While looking up at Jesus he may have expected a smack in the face, or a disciplinary action for his "offense".  Instead Jesus shows a different side.  According to some translations he was "filled with compassion" in others he "became angry" (to note it is interpreted based on the Greek he was angry because no others had compassion  for this man) - Nevertheless he LOVED this man.  While others would have reacted violently or ignored him, Jesus reaches out and touches the man *GASP* - To quote Ravi Zacharias: "This is not a different kind of man we are dealing with, but a different kind of God..."

Let it be said of us...

So I was listening to the song "The Blessing" by John Waller on my way home.  The main point of the song is basically: What will people say of us as Christians? and will we choose to be a blessing or a curse to those around us. Such a great question, especially asking a "Christian Nation" like our own.  Ghandi has been quotes saying he likes our Christ but not our Christians.  I've heard from many more saying similar statements, presenting the fact that if we are claiming to love Jesus, it sure isn't coming out by how we live. Paul sums up pretty well in Philippians 2:1-14 how we as Christians should live.

A while back I remember being asked the question "What do you want people to say of you when you die?" I think most of us would settle for the good person spiel. But as a Christian is this our aim, to receive glory to ourselves when we die? I cant imagine what people like the Apostles, C.S. Lewis, and other notable Christian men would say to our attributing glory to them rather than the One they spent their lives proclaiming. In Isaiah 41:10-12 God states: 
"Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another. Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last..."


Upon thinking about the things that make up what a "real" Christian is, I think there is one characteristic. Jesus exuded it. When asked about how to pray Jesus got right to the point! "Our Father, who art in heaven, HALLOWED BE THY NAME..." Its clear reading what Paul says about Jesus, and what God says in Isaiah, all Glory is to our Great Father. Everything we do is for His glory, Every change we have seen was for His glory, not our own; and he is clear "...My glory I will not give to another..." 


To conclude Matt Chandler in a sermon I recently heard presented the problem of praising God being dependent mostly because off things He has done.  While this is a major part of worship, what about praising Him solely because of who He is!!! Because of His Glory! Because He is the First and Last! Because His name is Hallowed! Admiring someone for things they have done, while it does add admiration, wont create a genuine love - What happens if they stop performing or their ability doesn't reflect their personality?

As for what I would like people to say of me when I die? I think the song sums this up well:
"Let it be said of us, that our hearts belong to Jesus..."

Contagious Jesus

When you look at the different accounts of Jesus healing people in the Gospels its crazy to see how Jesus reacts to each person differently. He doesn't just heal the person, he meets a need as well. On top of it all you see him also taking their Sin problem more seriously than their health issue.  The last couple weeks at club I've used two stories most everyone has heard: the healing of the Leper, and the bleeding woman. Upon doing research, looking at the scriptures, and just trying to discern things from them here are some insights:

1) Mark 1:40-45

Here we begin with the Leper begging Jesus.  Sounds like something a Leper would do, right? Wrong. The craziest aspect of this story is the Leper runs up to Jesus, falls at his feet, and begs him - "If your willing...."  Because of his condition BY LAW Jesus could kill the man if he wished. It was unlawful for a Leper to come within 30-40 feet of anyone, let alone a Rabbi. So immediately we see this man was incredibly confident in what Jesus could do.  Next Jesus' response, which is even more crazy! It says filled with compassion.... Which also in other manuscripts it translates almost to "Jesus was angered" - Not at the man, but probably translated as anger towards the temple priests for ignoring him. Nevertheless they believe the translation is closest to compassion. But finally Jesus reaches out and touches him, and says the words the Leper would never have imagined Jesus to say: "I AM WILLING! BE CLEAN!"  Be clean for your Leprosy is gone. Be clean for your Sin is gone. and perhaps the most radical thing of all, JESUS TOUCHES THE MAN! Probably the first "normal" contact the man had ever received! In a sermon mentioning this story the pastor says "This was not a different kind of man, but a different kind of God."

2) Luke 8:40-48

This story is perhaps my favorite. To quickly unpack Jesus is on his way (In the midst of thousands pressing him) to heal the synagogue ruler's daughter - note this was a man of above average importance. This is when the story kicks in, in the midst of the crowd is a woman "subject to bleeding" - this would have put her on the level of the leper or "unclean". She has spent everything for healing but become worse. So when she hears of Jesus some desperation inside her compels her to find him. Then we find the obstacle - thousands of people who, should they find out she is unclean, would do their level best to kill her given her vicinity.  Yet, in her weakened state, not even the crowds hold her back from pushing through and touching Jesus' cloak.  Then Jesus, as was his fashion, calls her out "Who touched my cloak?" - This is the defining moment. In her mind I could only imagine her thinking "Once I say something he will condemn me (as the law would have made lawful) " The rocks would begin flying and she would be history. But Jesus does something else. "Daughter, your faith has healed you..." Your sins are forgiven! Your conditioned healed. DAUGHTER! The absolute weight of him calling her Daughter is incredible. A title she would have been sent out of by her own father, a title that implies OWNERSHIP! She is adopted into the kingdom.

Bringing the two together there is one other theme. In the midst of both of these there is the idea that their uncleanliness is transmitted by touch. Yet when they touch Jesus, He is transmitted to them. Instead of death being given, they receive life. This is Jesus! The God of the Universe! How do we know God so loved the world? BECAUSE OF JESUS!

What is Fair?

So its been a bit longer than I would have liked since I posted on here, lets hope this doesn't happen often.  Just reflecting on the last few days and such I figured before I go to bed I might as well post something while thoughts are fresh.

So I sometimes find myself getting in these drawn out moods where I just don't seem to care much about things happening. I guess you could say I just get "bored" with things going on around me and in my life. Without going into details I basically get bitter with things and then start complaining in my head, which in light of a couple services at Grace has be en a convicting issue recently. So tonight while just closing my eyes and laying down, I just examined some thoughts and brought them to God. This is the outcome of this session:

While sitting there I began the thought process in a sense with the "its just not fair..." type of mentality. Its funny in the midst of these moments how God seems to do things to humble us. When Job did this (Job 38+) God comes down hard and basically K.O.s Job. For me tonight He just kind of brought up this in my head: "Is it REALLY unfair?" This of course spurs on the thought process. Is it fair for me to complain about xyz? Well if I was looking at my life through a worldly eyeglass then yes! it is! but as I've learned in my life I don't much think God give two craps for the worlds eyeglass, but rather wants us to see HIM.

This brings me to the good stuff within this post. Tonight at campaigners we split into groups and one of the groups to describe who Jesus was and why he came used Hebrews 12:2. So in this time this verse immediately comes to mind, as well as a ton of other thoughts, in light of the "whats fair" conflict.  Jesus came down from Heaven, walked the earth for 33 years, and was "put to death by those he came to save." Sounds fair right? He was called crazy, mocked, spat on, back stabbed, beaten, and eventually put to death in a manor many would say is the most painful way to torture a person, all while be perfect and innocent. And on top of this He bore the wrath of God for me! "....WHO FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED THE CROSS..." Humbled much? That should be considered "unfair" yet so often I just seem to wander from this truth.

So Ill continue to pray:
Lord in front of all my decisions remind me of Your Cross. In front of all my plans remind me of Yourself. When I wake up, wake me up with the thought of your Grace. When I go to sleep churn within my mind a hunger for the Gospel. As I go through life make your Name Hallowed more each day. Help me to know your Grace more, and to love those around me with this same love. AMEN.

If His grace is an ocean we're all sinking

I figured that would be a fitting title for this post considering I'm at the beach.

I took some time today to just sit on the beach and reflect, here are a couple thoughts that came to me.


1) Grace. Its easy as a Christian, especially for me, to let my mind wander on about different theologies, mysteries, and cool things from the scriptures.  There is one thing, however, that always seems more amazing and beautiful each time I meditate on it: the unending grace our God lavishes upon us.  Its the simplest, yet most overwhelming thought about the Gospel.  To think of the sin that has so deeply stained, the sin I cannot remove myself, has been cast "as far as the east is from the west".  I think Isaiah captures this so great:
Isaiah 1:18 
“Come now, let us reason together,”
   says the LORD.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
   they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
   they shall be like wool."
"Let us reason together..." Ponder on that thought. Though we were stained with the deepest red, HIS GRACE HAS WASHED US WHITE AS SNOW! Using this illustration more I think almost poetically God intended us to think of how mysterious, glorious, and awing it is that the Blood of Jesus (a deep crimson red in itself) should wash over us, already deeply stained by a crimson sin, and make us white as snow. This is all we can rest upon, that on the day we stand before HIM, Grace will abound.


2) I'm reminded of my smallness, and His enormity.  Looking out into the ocean definitely makes you feel finite, and small. Yet how much larger is the coast at large? How much more so the country? The World? the UNIVERSE?! We are but a speck in time and space. Our life but a millisecond compared to eternity. Yet he is all encompassing, all powerful, all loving, Sovereign over all.  This also reminds me of ministry. Jesus tells us at the end of Matthew:
 “...All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Thinking specifically of Dixie I just think of the kids there that are crying out to God. That want Life! That want fulfillment! That are yearning for a Joy that is everlasting! So many don't know Jesus, yet Dixie is just a shadow of the community, and even less so of the country. We live in a "blessed" nation. We have food, shelter, and enough time to enjoy whatever pleasure we want. Yet we so often forsake our great creator, redeemer God.  The day is drawing near when we will see Him in Glory, coming from the sky.  He will renew His creation, and take with Him those who want Him.  I pray for urgency within myself, for faith and courage to boldly take this glorious news to the unloved. That the broken would be redeemed. That NO MORE will kids at Dixie go through days hurting, thinking they are nothing more than flesh and blood.  That this country will stop giving allegiance to an idea and a flag, and fall to their knees and give praise to the KING of Kings, LORD of Lords, The Alpha and the Omega, The Beginning and the End...... That we would know Jesus, and Him crucified as our lives. AMEN.

Thoughts and Prayers of the day

First off... Thanks Stefan for campaigning for my blog; completely unnecessary but you the man! (1000 or bust!)  Now to the meat of this post - I have a couple different thoughts I would like to hit on:

1) Dealing with a thought Mr. Billy Menkhaus sent to me last night.  His thought suggested that our sinful nature actually is in some cases more of a blessing than a curse. Now before one would say "WHAT!" I think he has a very valid statement. First i'll deal with a couple butchered quotes I've heard in the last yearish:  "In the end whatever decision we have made about God, he will be Glorified" and this one from C.S. Lewis

"All God does in the end is give people what they most want, including freedom from Himself. What could be more fair?" To expound on these - If we are in the end forgiven by Grace through Jesus God is glorified in his amazing Grace and Mercy. Should we condemned to Hell based on our own independence and sin, God is glorified in his Holiness and Justice. So in the end the sinful nature within us WILL give God glory, whether it has been destroyed in us or absolutely consumed us.  What about now though? It seems so much more like a curse than a blessing trying to live a life for Jesus now. If you read the title of this blog, however, Paul in Romans 3-6 is pretty clear about the law.... ...Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin... The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord...

In the midst of our Sin - Grace ABOUNDS - Gods mercy is clearly seen, and we can rejoice and praise Him for this grace!

2) So the other day and this morning I was listening to the song "Worlds Apart" by Jars of Clay. The end of the song is humbling reminder not to turn the cross into just an image, and a beautiful prayer for God to direct our lives:

I look beyond the empty cross, Forgetting what my life has cost;
And wipe away the crimson stains; And dull the nails that still remains;
More and more I need you now, I owe you more each passing hour;
The battle between grace and pride, I gave up not so long ago,
So steal my heart and take the pain, And wash the feet and cleanse my pride;
Take the selfish, take the weak, And all the things I cannot hide;
Take the beauty, take my tears, The sin-soaked heart and make it yours;
Take my world all apart, Take it now, take it now;
And serve the ones that I despise; Speak the words I can't deny;
Watch the world I used to love, Fall to dust and thrown away.....
Take my world apart.

This brings me to the thought: How much do we really want to pray for God to "Take our worlds apart"? I know for me it is super scary to pray that my life, dreams, goals, ambitions, etc... be stripped away so that in everything I will rely only on Him. To live in such a way that should God not show up, I would be in trouble. But as I think of it, and examine the men and women who did live like this (Read Acts or read things about the first Christians) I begin to see this was their prayer. That in all things they would know only Jesus, and in all they did He would receive glory. While this is a very scary thought (in a worldly sense) and would seem like foolishness to the world (See 2nd blog post) this is the prayer I will pray: That at all costs, Jesus will become my life. That at all costs I will know Him. That at all costs He will bring me into himself. Amen.

Convinced or Crazy?

So as a bible study this past week we decided to read through 1 Corinthians.  The book is full of awesome application and encouragements Paul uses to instruct and reform the church in Corinth.  Towards the end of the letter, however, you find some very awesome passages about the Resurrection.  When looking at the context, it appeared some of the Corinthians didn't believe in bodily resurrection, thus denying Christ's actual resurrection (which could possibly relate to our skeptical Christian society).


1 Corinthians 15:3-8 | 12-19
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born....
 ...But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.


As I've grown in my faith over the years there has been one undeniable, apologetic-al point which I have held on to and go back to frequently: The Apostles and eyewitnesses to Jesus were ABSOLUTELY CONVINCED of who Jesus was. Paul knew one thing to be true; Jesus died, bore our sin, and was resurrected. That was it. This of course is when a modern skeptic would say "oh well they were just stupid" or the "oh they were just deceived". How does one see deception or stupidity within Paul's argument? Why would he die for a lie? He even points out those who have seen Jesus resurrected, almost challenging skeptics of the day to go visit those men and women. And Not only was he very educated, he later says in verses 30-32


And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I die every day—I mean that, brothers—just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”


He knew full well what he was doing. He knew what it was going to cost him. Peter in his second letter says "We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty." Then details the event of the Transfiguration. These men weren't stupid, they weren't insane (why would thousands die for the crazy ramblings of crazy men?) They were convinced of what they saw, and of the 11 disciples (minus Judas) and the many who were so key to the early churches spread almost all were Martyred because they couldn't, and wouldn't deny their Jesus.  Paul follows verse 19 with "But Christ indeed has been raised from the dead..." This for me has been a solid point in what I believe. It secures in my mind that Jesus was who he said he was, and did what he said he would do.

Foolishness

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

If you search for the definition of foolishness you will get "folly: the trait of acting stupidly or rashly" I've read this verse many times but today it just stuck out to me.  The first two Chapters of 1 Corinthians, Paul kind of harps on this idea a lot.  While this would have definitely applied for those living in the Roman empire, but is this true of our Gospel within United States.  For those living in Rome accepting the gospel and living for Jesus meant physical persecution, it meant losing status, money, and in many cases your lives.   Some of Jesus' most profound statements were filled with this idea of worldly foolishness:

Luke 9:23-25

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.  What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 

For that time in itself this statement was shocking, but what about today?  Looking around the world we see this very much to be true in places like the Middle East and China, where Christians are being heavily persecuted for their acceptance of Christ. I've read multiple times of governments. not just religious leaders, sentencing men and women to death because of this Gospel. So I ask, is this true of us in the U.S.?  Are we preaching this same Gospel, the one in which Paul throughout scripture says is "The power of God" or are we preaching a Gospel of safety and prosperity?  If we are preaching this gospel that is the power of God, that is foolishness to those who are perishing, what would our country begin to look like?  Preaching the Gospel should not create lukewarmness.  As a young life leader I find it odd when other "christians" consider it foolish giving up time as a college student to hang with high schoolers. It upsets me to hear so many "christians" consider it foolish to give up money, time, and comfort to bring the gospel to dangerous places. If the Gospel is truth, and 90% of us say it is, why are we so stagnant?  Only the unbeliever considers the Gospel foolish. So how much do we consider this gospel to be the power of God? I know if you would ask the thousands of people (throughout history as well) who have/are giving their lives to this gospel, I dont think the word foolish would appear in their description of what they were doing. So lets do something about it, lets not hold back truth, lets love radically, lets pray continually, and lets go kick this world in the butt with the Gospel of Power!

(As a note of this post, I very much feel in many aspects of my life that I do not live a life which I fully consider the gospel as the power of God (for example being bold in moments which are hard to be bold in). This scripture is quite convicting and I thought I would share thoughts. Also Im not the best person at writing down and organizing thoughts... so if this is jumbled and in some parts doesnt flow well im sorry)

First ever blog post!!!!!

So I've finally succumbed to the urge to create a blog. I'm actually really excited to get this going and start getting more involved in the community of bloggers on the internets (yes with an s). So I guess with this first post I should get right down to business and explain what this blog will be and why i'm doing it.

First: Dealing with the title, although it sounds like a fairly generic Christian title it actually took me some thought to figure out what I would call this.  The title comes from Romans 5:20-21 in which Paul states: "...but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more..." In the last year this verse has really stuck out to me as just a HUGE reminder of God's indelible grace for us. Though our sin is so large HIS GRACE ABOUNDS!!!! (just meditate on that!)

Secondly: After reading other's blogs and receiving much insight/encouragement from postings I thought doing one myself would be neat. Along with that I find myself throughout different points of my week reading/hearing/seeing things that I feel are worth sharing, or archiving in some way (for myself, if not for others).

Finally: I really want this to be something which for me grows me in my relationship with Christ, specifically dealing with scripture study and discussion.  It is a way for me to look at my thoughts on something and truly analyze them almost in a Berean-like mannor. It also gives others the ability to comment/correct me where I might be wrong or misinformed. 

So..... Yeah..... I have a blog now!!!!